"The Bruins coming to town makes this a special event," said Frank Remesch, general manager of 1st Mariner Arena. "That same night, the Orioles play the Red Sox, which adds to the spice. People can root against Boston twice."

Two years ago, in the first Baltimore Hockey Classic, the Capitals lost, 2-0 to the Nashville Predators before an announced crowd of 11,082. Washington was also to have played a game here in 2012, but that contest was canceled because of the NHL lockout.

"I think fans were really disappointed last year," Remesch said. "The first game was all but a sellout.

"We're hoping this becomes an annual event. I can't see it not happening."

The 2011 game marked hockey's return to the Arena for the first time since 1997, when the Baltimore Bandits of the American Hockey League played there. Before that, the building housed two other minor league ice teams — the Skipjacks (1981-93) and the Clippers (1962-77) — plus the short-lived Blades of the World Hockey Association (1975).

Tickets go on sale to the general public May 3. Capitals' full season-account holders can buy tickets beginning May 1.